Dengue
fever is a viral infection that usually starts suddenly with
a high fever, rashes, severe headache, pain behind the eyes,
as well as muscle and joint pains. The severity of the joint
pain has given dengue the name, "break-bone fever." Nausea feeling,
vomiting, and loss of appetite are other common symptoms. A
rash usually appears three to four days after the start of the
fever. The illness can last up to ten days, but complete recovery
can take as long as a month.
The dengue virus has four strains called serotypes 1, 2, 3 and
4. Getting infected with one serotype does not protect you against
the other serotypes. In fact, getting a second dengue infection,
particularly with serotype 2, leads to an even worse infection
such as Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome
which can be fatal.
While most cases of dengue are not serious, it is important
to note that with dengue haemorrhagic fever, bleeding may occur
from the nose, mouth, and gums. There are small red spots on
the skin and the urine may contain blood. Without prompt treatment,
the blood vessels can collapse, causing shock, also known as
dengue shock syndrome. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is fatal in
about 5 percent of the cases, mostly among children and young
adults.
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The
virus of dengue fever is commonly spread from person to person
through the bites of the Aedes mosquitoes which get the virus
while feeding on the blood of an infected person. It takes an
average of four to six days, with a range from three to 14 days,
for the symptoms to show, starting from the time a person is
bitten by an infected mosquito. An infected person cannot spread
the virus to another person but can be a source of dengue virus
for the Aedes mosquitoes for about six days.
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There
is no specific treatment for dengue fever. Bed rest and drinking
lots of water to prevent dehydration will help you feel better.
For severe headaches and body aches, a painkiller (such as acetaminophen)
may help to keep you comfortable. Daily blood tests may be necessary
to monitor the risk of bleeding and in severe cases, blood and
other fluid transfusions may be necessary. However, in most
cases of dengue, recovery is assured.
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To
prevent dengue fever, you must prevent the breeding of its
carrier, the Aedes mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes, identified
by their black and white stripes on the body, breed in areas
with stagnant water, especially in flower vases and flower
pot plates. They like to bite during daytime, often indoors
or in the shade.
Aedes mosquito |
Aedes aegypti larva |
Preventive measures hence include wearing long-sleeved, light-coloured
clothing and using insect repellents on skin and clothes when
in areas at risk of dengue. Ensure that your house is free from
stagnant water by doing regular house-cleaning and changing
water in flower vases every 7 days. If necessary, spray insecticide
where there are mosquitoes present and enlist the help of pest
controllers to carry out fumigation when you spot many adult
mosquitoes. |
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Information
Courtesy of Ministry of Health
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